Convertible chair canopy

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a canopy configured to attach to a chair or other similar piece of furniture. In an aspect, the canopy may include a back frame comprising a fastener for releasably attaching the back frame to a back of a chair. The canopy may include a front frame that is connected to the back frame via one or more hinges. A collapsible cover may be included that is connected to the back frame and the front frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates generally to outdoor furniture and particularly to a convertible chair canopy.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor furniture may provide people with many hours of enjoyment while relaxing outdoors, such as on a backyard deck or patio. One problem, however, with outdoor furniture is that it may be subjected to rain, dirt, dust, or pollen and an individual would find it unpleasant to sit upon a chair or other piece of outdoor furniture that is wet or soiled. The problem may be exacerbated when the outdoor furniture includes pillows or other padding. In order to keep their outdoor furniture clean and dry when not in use, a person may have to expend the time and physical effort to move the outdoor furniture to a sheltered location. Alternatively, a person may retrieve and apply a separate cover to the outdoor furniture. As can be appreciated, it is inconvenient to maintain a storage area for one's outdoor furniture covers, as well as having to bring them out when it is time to cover the outdoor furniture and put them back away when one wants to enjoy the outdoor furniture.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to a canopy configured to attach to a chair or other similar piece of furniture. In an aspect, the canopy may include a back frame comprising a fastener for releasably attaching the back frame to a back of a chair. The canopy may include a front frame that is connected to the back frame via one or more hinges. A collapsible cover may be included that connects to the back frame and the front frame. In an aspect, the back frame may include a back frame cross member, a first back frame side member attached to a first end of the back frame cross member, and a second back frame side member attached to a second end of the back frame cross member opposite the first end. The first back frame side member and the second back frame side member may each be attached to a first and second hinge, respectively, of the plurality of hinges. The front frame may include a front frame cross member, a first front frame side member attached to a first end of the front frame cross member, and a second back frame side member attached to a second end of the front frame cross member opposite the first end. The first front frame side member and the second front frame side member may each be attached to the first and second hinge, respectively, of the plurality of hinges.

In another aspect, a chair may comprise a seat and a back connected to the seat. A front frame may be connected to one or more hinges disposed at a junction of the seat and back, such that the front frame may be pivoted between the seat and the back. The chair may include a collapsible cover connected to the back and the front frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, examples are shown in the drawings; however, the subject matter is not limited to the specific elements and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary chair canopy attached to a chair;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of an exemplary chair canopy attached to a chair;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary chair canopy; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary back frame of an exemplary chair canopy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Described herein is a canopy configured to be mounted to a chair or other similar piece of furniture. The canopy may serve to protect the seating surface of the chair from undesirable elements, such as pollen, dust, or rain.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a canopy 100 mounted on a chair 102 having a back 126 and a seat 128. The canopy 100 may include a back frame 104. The back frame 104 may be configured to be releasably attached (discussed further herein) to the back 126 of the chair 102. A front frame 110 may be connected to the back frame 104 via a pair of hinges 118 so that the front frame 110 may be rotated towards or away from the back frame 104. For example, when the canopy 100 is open (i.e., the canopy 100 is not deployed to protect the chair 102), the front frame 110 may be positioned proximate to the back frame 104 and/or the back 126 of the chair 102. Conversely, when the canopy 100 is closed (i.e., the canopy 100 is deployed to protect the chair 102), the front frame 110 may be positioned substantially in contact with or proximate to the seat 128 of the chair.

The hinges 118 may be spring-loaded such that the front frame 110 will naturally return to the open position when not held in the closed position, such as by a user or a by a fastener attaching the front frame 110 to the seat 128 of the chair 102. Conversely, the hinges 118 may be spring-loaded to maintain the front frame 110 in the closed position when not otherwise held in the open position, such as by a user or by a fastener attaching the front frame 110 to the back 126 of the chair 102.

The hinges 118 may be spring-loaded by virtue of one or more springs 160 connecting the front frame 110 and the back frame 104. In particular, the springs 160 may connect the respective side members of the front frame 110 and the back frame 104. As an example, the springs 160 may be tension springs such that when the front frame 110 and the back frame 104 are rotated away from each other (i.e., to a closed position), the retraction of the springs 160 may cause the front frame 110 and the back frame 14 to return back towards each other (i.e., to an open position) in the absence of any counterforce. As another example, the springs 160 may be compression springs that apply an extending force when the back frame 104 and the front frame 110 are moved towards each other. For example, the front frame 110 may be moved to a position proximate the back frame 104 and/or the back 126 of the chair 102 (i.e., an open position), which causes the compression springs to compress. The front frame 110 may be fixed in that position via one or more fasteners. When the fasteners are released, the compression springs may expand and cause the front frame 110 to rotate away from the back frame 104 and/or the back 126 of the chair 102 (i.e., a closed position).

Additionally or alternatively to the springs 160 shown in FIG. 2, one or more of the hinges 118 may incorporate a spring (not shown) therein. For example, the hinges 118 each may comprise a torsion spring to cause the front frame 110 to move back towards the back frame 104 or vice versa when a counterforce is removed.

The hinges 118 each may be configured with a push-button or other mechanism to release the front frame 110 from its spring-loaded position to its initial position in which it is not under force from a spring. For example, the push-button may be actuated to cause the canopy 100 to move from the open position to the closed position by virtue of the spring characteristic of the hinges 118.

In some aspects, the hinges 118 each may be configured to operate in a stepped manner with respect to the hinges' 118 angles of rotation. For example, the hinge 118 (and by extension the front frame 110 and/or the back frame 104) may be rotated according to a series of steps at which the hinge 118 may remain in that stepped position until further acted upon. The steps may be effectuated by a gear or cog comprised within the hinge 118. Accordingly, the canopy 100 may be opened or closed via a number of stepped positions. For example, the canopy 100 may be moved between a series of steps, wherein the series of steps comprises a first position at which the canopy 100 is fully closed, a second position at which the canopy 100 is three-fourths closed, a third position at which the canopy 100 is one-half closed (or one-half opened), a fourth position at which the canopy 100 is one-fourth closed (or three-fourths open), and a fifth position at which the canopy 100 is fully open.

In other aspects, the hinges 118 each may be configured such that when the canopy 100 is moved to a certain position (including any position between the open and closed positions), the canopy 100 will remain in that position until the canopy 100 is subsequently moved. In this aspect, the hinges 118 need not operate in a stepped manner, but instead may operate to allow a continuous range of motion.

The canopy 100 may include a covering 120 attached between the back frame 104 and the front frame 110. The covering 120 may be tightly attached to each of the back frame 104 and the front frame 110 to create a substantially water-proof or water-resistant seal between the covering 120 and each of the back frame 104 and the front frame 110. When the canopy 100 is closed, the covering 120 may cover the seating area of the chair (e.g., the top of the seat 128 of the chair 102 and the front-facing portion of the back 126 of the chair 102) from both above and the sides. The covering 120 may be composed of a thin material, such as fabric (e.g., canvas or nylon) or plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride), that is sufficiently flexible to allow for the free pivoting movement of the front frame 110 from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa. The material of the covering 120 may be water-resistant so that the canopy 100 may effectively protect the underlying chair 102 or other furniture from rain or other sources of water. Additionally or alternatively, the covering 120 may comprised a material providing resistance to UV (ultra-violet) radiation. The UV resistant material may protect the underlying furniture from damage caused by UV radiation.

The covering 120 may be supported by a plurality of support members 122. Each of the support members 122 may be pivotally attached to the hinges 118 and attached to or integrated with the covering 120. For example, the covering 120 may have a series of substantially closed channels 123 integrated therein, perpendicular to the direction of movement when opening or closing the canopy 100, through which each respective support member 122 may be disposed to support the covering 120. The support members 122 may be sized and shaped similarly to the back frame 104 and/or the front frame 110 so that the support members 122 may be stored compactly when the canopy 100 is in the open position. The support members 122 may each comprise, for example, a metal or plastic rod or shaft formed in the desired shape. As an example, the rod or shaft may have a diameter or width of about one-eighth inch to about one-quarter inch.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the canopy 100 are specifically contemplated that include the support members 122 and that do not include the support members 122. For example, one embodiment of the canopy 100 may include the covering 120 that stretches between the back frame 104 and the front frame 110 without any support members 122. Such an embodiment may be appropriate where the chair 102 does not have any armrests, for example. Conversely, an embodiment of the canopy 100 that does include the support members 122 may be appropriate where the chair 102 does have armrests, so that the support members 122 may assist the covering 120 in clearing the armrests when the canopy 100 is closed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the canopy 100 mounted on the chair 102 in a closed position. The canopy 100 may include one or more clips 124, or other type of fastener, to releasably attach the canopy 100 to the chair 102. As depicted in FIG. 2, the clips 124 may be disposed on the back frame 104. The clips 124 may each face inward with respect to the back frame 104. In an alternative configuration, the clips 124 may be positioned on the back frame 104 to face forward towards the back 126 of the chair 102 when the back frame 104 is positioned behind the back 126 of the chair 102. The clips 124, or other type of fastener, may also be disposed on the front frame 110 so that the front frame 110 may be releasably secured to the seat 128 of the chair 102 when the canopy 100 is closed. Other types of fastener may include a clamp, strap (e.g., a hook-and-loop strap), or tie. In an aspect, the back frame 104 and/or the front frame 110 may include one or more magnet connectors that may attach to the back 126 of the chair 102 and/or the seat 128 of the chair 102, respectively, that are substantially made of metal. Clips 124, or other types of fastener, may further be positioned on the front frame 110 and/or the back frame 104 to releasably attach the front frame 110 and the back frame 104 to one another, such as when the canopy 100 is configured in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the canopy 100 that is not mounted on the chair 102 and is in a partially collapsed position. The back frame 104 may be formed with a first member 106, a second member 107, and a cross member 105 connecting the first member 106 and the second member 107. Similarly, the front frame 110 may include a first member 112, a second member 113, and a cross member 111 connecting the first member 106 and the second member 107. Distal from the respective connection with the cross members 105, 111, the first members 106, 112 and the second members 107, 113 may each, respectively, be connected to the hinges 118. The first member 112 and the second member 113 of the front frame 110 may each include one or more clips 124 or other type of fastener, disposed thereon which may be used to releasably secure the front frame 110 to the seat 128 of the chair 102. The first member 106 and the second member 107 of the back frame 104 may each include one or more clips 124, or other type of fastener, disposed thereon which may be used to releasably secure the back frame 104 to the back 126 of the chair 102. For purposes of visual clarity, not all of the clips 124 disposed on the front frame 110 and back frame 104 are labeled.

The back frame 104 and the front frame 110 may each be configured according to the dimensions and/or shape of the chair 102 or other piece of furniture to which the canopy 100 may be attached. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the back frame 104 and the front frame 110 may each be square-cornered, U-shaped, or square- or rectangular-shaped. In this configuration, the canopy 100 may be well suited to attach to a chair having a square- or rectangular-shaped seat 128 and back 126. In other embodiments, the canopy 100 may be configured to attach to a chair having a rounded seat 128 and back 126, in which case the back frame 104 and the front frame 110 may each be rounded, such as in a semi-circle or semi-oval shape.

In an alternative embodiment, the canopy 100 may be integrated with the chair 102. For example, the covering 120 may be connected to the front frame 110 and the top and/or sides of the back 126 of the chair 102. The chair 102 may have one or more hinges 118 positioned at the junction between the back 126 and the seat 128 of the chair 102. The front frame 110 may be attached to the hinges 118 and may be configured to pivot between the back 126 (in the open position) and the seat 128 (in the closed position). In the open position, the front frame 110 may be flush with the back 126 or positioned such that the front frame 110 bounds the edges of the back 126 (i.e., the front frame 110 is slightly larger than the back 126).

In one embodiment, the canopy 100 may be configured to allow adjustment to fit a variety of sizes of chairs or other types of furniture. For example, the width of the back frame 104 may be adjusted according to the width of the back 126 of the chair 102 and the width of the front frame 110 maybe adjusted according to the width of the seat 128 of the chair 102. The height of the back frame 104 may be adjusted according to the height of the back 126 of the chair 102 and the height of the front frame 110 may be adjusted according to the depth of the seat 128 of the chair 102.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the back frame 104 configured to allow adjustment in height and/or width. In particular, the back frame 104 may include a first section 130 and an interconnecting second section 132. The interconnection of the first section 130 and the second section 132 may facilitate the adjustment of the width of the back frame 104. The first section 130 and the second section 132 may each be L-shaped, as shown in FIG. 4. The first section 130 may include a top member 134 and a side member 136 connected in a perpendicular configuration. In a mirror configuration to that of the first section 130, the second section 132 may include a top member 138 and a side member 140 connected in a perpendicular arrangement. The sections may be interconnected by the end of one top member fitting inside the end of the other top member. For example, the dimensions of the top member 134 of the first section 130 may be less than the dimensions of the top member 138 of the second section 132. Accordingly, a portion of the top member 134 of the first section 130 may be inserted into an opening 142 in the top member 138 of the second section 132 defining by the walls of the top member 138 of the second section 132. The length of the top member 134 of the first section 130 inserted may be varied to adjust the width of the back frame 104. The inserted portion of the top member 134 of the first section 130 may be sufficiently secured within the opening 142 by friction or other securing means, such as a system of pressure-recessable buttons on the top member 134 of the first section 130 and corresponding holes in the top member 138 of the second section 132. When the top member 134 of the first section 130 and the top member 138 of the second section 132 are interconnected, they may form a structure analogous to the cross member 105 depicted in FIG. 3.

To allow adjustment to the height of the back frame 104, each of the side members 136, 140 may include two interconnected members. In particular, each side member 136, 140 may include an upper side member 144, 146 and a bottom side member 148, 150. To allow interconnection, the upper side member 144, 146 may be configured with dimensions less than the dimensions of the respective bottom side member 148, 150, or vice versa. A portion of the upper side member 144, 146 may be inserted into a respective opening 152, 154 defined by the walls of the respective bottom side member 148, 150, or vice versa. The length of the portion of the upper side member 144, 146 inserted into the respective opening 152, 154 may be varied to adjust the overall length of the side member 136, 140 and, therefore, the height of the back frame 104. The inserted portion of the upper side member 144, 146 may be sufficiently secured within the respective opening 152, 154 by friction or other securing means, such as a system of pressure-recessable buttons on the upper side member 144, 146 and corresponding holes in the bottom side member 148, 150. When the upper side members 144, 146 and the bottom side members 148, 150 are interconnected, they may form structures analogous to the first member 106 and the second member 107 depicted in FIG. 3.

It will be appreciated that the front frame 110 may be configured similarly to the embodiment of the back frame 104 described in reference to FIG. 4. For example, the front frame 110 may be configured in two sections that, when adjustably interconnected, comprise a structure analogous to the cross member 111 of the front frame 110. When the interconnection of the two sections is varied, the width of the front frame 110 may be varied. In addition, the first member 112 and the second member 113 of the front frame 110 may each comprise two adjustably interconnected members. When the interconnection of the two members are adjusted, the length of respective first member 112 or second member 113 may be adjusted, thereby adjusting the height or depth of the front frame 110.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments. Therefore, the convertible chair canopy as described herein should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a back frame comprising a fastener for releasably attaching the back frame to a back of a chair; a front frame connected to the back frame via one or more hinges, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to allow a select position of the back frame flush to the back of the chair and a simultaneous select position of the front frame flush to a seat of the chair; and a collapsible cover connected to the back frame and the front frame.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front frame comprises a second fastener for releasably attaching the front frame to the seat of the chair, and wherein the front frame is flush to the seat of the chair when releasably attached to the seat of the chair, and wherein the back frame is flush to the back of the chair when releasably attached to the back of the chair.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of support members.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to allow at least one of the back frame and the front frame to be moved between stepped positions. 5.-6. (canceled)
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the back frame and the front frame is configured with adjustable width. 8.-12. (canceled)
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front frame and the back frame is configured with adjustable height. 14.-16. (canceled)
 17. A chair, comprising: a seat; a back connected to the seat; a front frame connected to one or more hinges disposed at a junction of the seat and the back, such that the front frame may be pivoted between a first select position flush to the seat and a second select position flush to the back; and a collapsible cover connected to the back and the front frame.
 18. The chair of claim 17, wherein the front frame comprises: a front frame cross member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first front frame side member attached to the first end; and a second front frame side member attached to the second end, wherein the first front frame side member is connected to a first hinge of the one or more hinges and the second front frame side member is connected to a second hinge of the one or more hinges, wherein the front frame cross member is parallel to and flush with a front edge of the seat when the front frame is positioned in the first select position flush to the seat.
 19. The chair of claim 17, wherein the front frame comprises a fastener for releasably attaching the front frame to the seat when the front frame is in the first select position flush to the seat.
 20. The chair of claim 17, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of support members.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front frame is coterminous, in a direction opposite the one or more hinges, with a front edge of the seat of the chair when the front frame is positioned in the select position flush to the seat of the chair.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the front frame comprises a front member and a pair of side members, wherein each side member of the pair of side members is attached to a respective end of the front member and a respective hinge of the one or more hinges, and wherein the front member is parallel to and flush with the front edge of the seat of the chair when the front frame is positioned in the select position flush to the seat of the chair.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each side member of the pair of side members is parallel to and flush with a respective side edge of the seat of the chair.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein an upper surface of the seat of the chair is enclosed by the collapsible cover when the back frame is positioned in the select position flush to the back of the chair and the front frame is positioned in the select position flush to the seat of the chair.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein a front surface of the back of the chair is enclosed by the collapsible cover when the back frame is positioned in the select position flush to the back of the chair and the front frame is positioned in the select position flush to the seat of the chair.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured without support members between the back frame and the front frame, wherein the cover comprises a stretch material, and wherein the cover is stretched between the front frame and the back frame when the back frame is in the select position of the back frame flush to the back of the chair and the front frame is in the select position of the front frame flush to the seat of the chair.
 27. The chair of claim 17, wherein the front frame is coterminous, in a direction opposite the one or more hinges, with a front edge of the seat of the chair when the front frame is positioned in the first select position flush to the seat of the chair.
 28. The chair of claim 17, wherein an upper surface of the seat and a front surface of the back are enclosed by the collapsible cover when the front frame is positioned in the first select position flush to the seat.
 29. The chair of claim 17, wherein the cover is configured without support members between the back and the front frame, wherein the cover comprises a stretch material, and wherein the cover is stretched between the front frame and the back when the front frame is in the first select position flush to the seat.
 30. The chair of claim 18, wherein the first front frame side member and the second front frame side member are each parallel to and flush with a respective side edge of the seat. 